The swimmers itch can be an annoying and troubling skin ailment. Transported by a water-borne parasite called cercaria, the swimmers itch can give a tough time to people grappling with the symptoms. Learn to manage the swimmers itch by taking a sneak peak into the article below.
The medical term for “swimmers itch” is “Cercarial Dermatitis”. This skin ailment is caused by parasites called the “cercariae”, a larva form of flat worm that is carried by birds and mammals. Waterfowl and freshwater snails release these parasites into freshwater lakes or ponds which eventually enters the skin of man.
The parasite lives and eventually perishes on penetrating the skin tissues. The presence of these parasites can cause allergic reactions in some people or swimmers who frequently visit these fresh water bodies. These snail-cum-water borne parasites do not mature within the human body and neither do they cause any permanent illness or infection.
The most common symptom of the swimmers itch is rashes that occur in patches and constantly itch. It is known by different names in different regions – “duckworms” in New Jersey or the “rice paddy itch” in the Asian countries. It is a short lived infection that can be treated with over the counter or prescribed medications.
Home Remedies to Cure the Swimmers Itch
Few home remedies to manage the swimmers itch are listed here below:
- Wash the affected parts or body with salt water, household ammonia, vinegar or methyl alcohol
- The itch can get painful if you scratch the red patches. Use benadryl spray to reduce the itching tendencies and pain
- Application of calamine lotion can also soothe the affected areas
- Take lukewarm baths with baking soda
- Apply cool compressors or ice to reduce the pain, itch and inflammation
- Though it is hard to resist the itch, do not scratch the red patches
- Bathe in colloidal oatmeal to get relief from the itch and pain
- Consult a doctor for using antihistamines before sleeping at night to reduce the pain, swelling and itch
- Use copper sulfate to kill the snails which are the immediate carriers of the parasite or infection
Though the swimmers itch is not a contagious skin ailment, doctors are of the opinion that your need not contract it from water directly. For instance, you can carry the parasite out of the water with you and transfer it onto the towel you wipe with. The parasite can enter your skin if you repeatedly use that towel.
So the infection does not spread by touch but with the cercaria parasite entering your skin tissues in some way. In order to avoid this occurrence, dry the towel, which can be carrying cercariae parasites once you get out of water.
Not everyone is sensitive to the swimmers itch skin related ailment. Research states that about 30-40 percent are actually vulnerable to contracting the infection. However, once chances to get the swimmers itch increases with constant exposure to cercaria.